November 15, 2023 Community Meeting Summary
It All Starts Here SF
You might have noticed this window sign displayed on shops and restaurants along Church Street. Avenue Greenlight’s Elise Jacobsen explained the campaign behind the signs. It is a citywide civic pride campaign to celebrate small business and all of the amazing things that were invented or started in SF. It demonstrates pride in our community. Remember to support our local shops and restaurants.
Learn more at itallstartsheresf.org and these two short videos:
Captain Amy Hurwitz
Our new Ingleside Station commander introduced herself and presented updates on local crime and safety. She has been with SFPD for 20 years. Her most recently assignment was homeland security but she served at Ingleside Station from 2005 to 2012. She knows our community and assures us that Upper Noe is relatively safe, mostly car burglaries. She shared these goals and info:
- Planning more traffic enforcement/education. Prioritize education over enforcement. Contact her if you are willing to have a traffic speed sign trailer placed in front of your house.
- Trying to help retail stay in SF with enhanced security placement. Stings have netted big arrests of shoplifters/looters.
- Do not tie up your dog outside stores. Pet theft is too frequent.
- Looking at how to extend the cleanliness of APEC to the rest of the year.
- SFPD’s hands have been effectively tied by the courts for clearing homeless encampments. Call 311 if you have concerns, especially if you see fires. Call 911 if it is an emergency.
- Staffing levels: SFPD does not release specific numbers but we are 500 officers short of the goal of 1900 officers.
- Leaving your lights on at night can reduce crime.
- SF Neighborhood Watch/SF SAFE <https://sfsafe.org/> can help neighbors organize, conduct free home security audits, and educate about crime reduction ideas.
- Contact : amy.hurwitz@sfgov.org
District 8 updates
Supervisor Mandelman and D8 staff were not able to attend due to an APEC event. He sent info about his Effective Governance charter reform amendment. He says his other main priorities are the Mayor’s Small Business initiative, Treatment on Demand, Housing, and Public Safety.
Treasurer Report
Since becoming a 501c3 nonprofit last year, we have been working on securing an organizational insurance policy. These are not readily available anymore. We received a third of our $50k grant funding so far and have about $2k in normal reserves. UNN is now able to receive tax-deductible donations. We are working on getting new membership/accounting infrastructure up and running.
Transportation
- J Church Project: No specific updates on the Noe Valley SFMTA designers are shifting focus to here now that the Market St and San Jose Ave design phases have been approved. They hope to follow up early next year with some next steps.
- Next Generation Slow Sanchez – no updates yet.
Branding Project
- Currently a bit stalled. Neighborhood professionals are helping to modify banner design criteria. A marketing company offered a strategy for producing and installing banners. We need fewer and stronger designs.
- Businesses are getting excited about the branding campaign and are anticipating participation in hanging bistro lighting.
UN Merchants
- 24 businesses on Church Street are displaying the It All Starts Here SF window signs.
- UNN met with Hank Willson, Policy Manager for Parking & Curb Management (MTA) and Marianne Mazzucco Thompson, Small Business Engagement Specialist for the Office of Small Business (OSB) about short term parking solutions to support business. We discussed meters, 2-hour parking limits, green zones, and white zones. OSB arranged this meeting after they toured Upper Noe in September and found it extremely difficult to park. They then heard confirmation of that from most business owners.
Park
- Cheryl Woltjen has left after 11 years at Upper Noe for a new assignment with Rec & Park. Nicole has left after 13 years for a new job. Kuzuri Jackson remains as acting facilities coordinator.
- Acoustic panels for the auditorium ship next week. Installation is expected by year’s end.